Major retailers are ramping up contingency plans ahead of Brexit, as Joules announces it is setting up an EU distribution hub and ordering products early to protect against a possible hard deal.

Joules also said that it is bracing for increased administrative activities and is ramping up its currency hedging activities in anticipation of volatility in the pound as Brexit day approaches.

Joules, which has stores in Norwich’s Castle Street, and in Holt, said in a trading update: “Contingency plans have been put in place to mitigate the expected disruption that could arise in the event of a ‘hard Brexit’.